A recent study examined the effectiveness of traditional bone setting (chiropractic adjustments) to both conventional physiotherapy and massage in those suffering from chronic neck pain. The randomized clinical trial included more than 100 individuals with a mean age of 41.5 years who were randomly assigned to receive either chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy or massage treatments. Improvements were seen among all three treatment groups (chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy and massage) 1-month post-treatment with perceived neck disability and overall satisfaction significantly better with the chiropractic adjustment group. At 1-year post-treatment, both perceived neck disability and neck pain were significantly better in those who received chiropractic adjustments as compared with the other two groups. Also, 69 percent of individuals who received chiropractic adjustments noted significant improvement in their neck pain as compared with 40 and 46 percent in the physiotherapy and massage groups, respectively. Moreover, the ability of the bone setters to communicate and interact with patients was rated significantly higher and those receiving chiropractic-type adjustments had significantly fewer sick days and painkiller medication consumption 1-year post-treatment.

Chiropractic received more praise recently with the featured story titled "Mainstream Makes Adjustments" on the front page of the July 17, 2007 health section of The Washington Post. The story includes personal experiences of Buzz McClain – writer and chiropractic patient. McClain obtained relief from chiropractic care after three unsuccessful spinal surgeries. In the article, Dr. William Lauerman, chief of spine surgery and a professor of orthopedic surgery at Georgetown University Hospital commented, "I'm an orthopedic spine surgeon, so I treat all sorts of back problems, and I'm a big believer in chiropractic... I'm more of a believer for acute problems like short-term back pain, although I know [chiropractic] can be helpful for some cases of more-chronic conditions." To view the full article, visit The Washington Post website.

In a recent Japanese and Danish report, researchers found that breaking a workout into two shorter workouts with a break in between was more successful at burning fat. In the study, researchers found men who exercised for two 30-minute workouts with a small break in between burned more fat than those exercising for 60 minutes without a break. Researchers found that although total calories burned during the two different workout methods were the same, 77 percent of the calories burned post-workout were fat in those working out for two 30-minute sessions as compared with 56 percent in those working out for 60 minutes straight. Thus, it appears adding rest periods within longer exercise programs can result in additional fat burning.

In their efforts to improve America's public health, the American College of Sports Medicine and American Heart Association released new exercise guidelines. According to these leading health groups, adults should participate in a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (accelerated walking, light jogging or similar heart rate accelerating activity) five days per week. Alternatively, they recommend adults participate in vigorous-intensity exercise (moderate jogging or similar activity that causes rapid breathing and substantial increase in heart rate) for a minimum of 20 minutes three days per week. The guidelines also suggest adults engage in 8 to 10 weightlifting exercises to improve muscle strength and endurance on two nonconsecutive days per week. For those 65 and older, the guidelines additionally recommend flexibility and balance exercises to assist in preventing fall-type injuries.